Rio Americano High School

The Mirada
Students at the summer 2024 UC Davis program.
UC Davis Med Center Invites Teens to Apply for Summer Program
Rio to Celebrate Earth Day–for a Week
The Rio Americano robotics team attends their first competition of the season at Pleasant Grove High School on March 15.
Robotics Team Finishes Fourth in First Competition of the Season, Looks to Improve Rankings
Rio to Host Annual Culture Fair on April 8
Rio to Host Annual Culture Fair on April 8
San Juan Unified's equity vision principles. Photo from the district website.
No Changes Planned to Diversity and Inclusion Policies, District Says
Members of the Rio Americano Mathletes team took second place in the March 13, 2025, competition at Franklin High School.
Mathletes Take Second Place in Competition
Christopher Rufo in his 2002 senior portrait in the Rio Americano High School Tesoro yearbook.
Rio Grad Christopher Rufo Wields Power in Washington
History teacher Richard Yoha.
Q&A: History Teacher Richard Yoha on His Time as a Rio Student and Returning to Teach
Covid-19
The Day That Changed Everything: Reflecting on the Five-Year Anniversary of the COVID School Shutdowns
Author and Rio Americano graduate Maressa Voss (Maressa Garner, 2008).
Interview: Rio Americano Alumna Maressa Voss Publishes First Novel
The Founder's House section at the Crocker Art Museum.
Museum Review: An Hour at the Crocker
The courtyard in front of the cafeteria flooded during a storm in December 2024.
Why Does Rio’s Cafeteria Courtyard Always Flood on Rainy Days?
Drawing by Gwen Lindsey.
Why Mass Parks Service Firings Hurt More Than Just the Workers
Grade Inflation Hurts Students
Grade Inflation Hurts Students
Debate: Is It Ok to Give Extra Credit for Donations?
Debate: Is It Ok to Give Extra Credit for Donations?
Op-Ed: GoGuardian's New Mental Health Feature May Do More Harm Than Good
Op-Ed: GoGuardian’s New Mental Health Feature May Do More Harm Than Good
Technology's Toll on Free Will
Technology’s Toll on Free Will
Drawing by Gwen Lindsey.
Cell Phone Bans a Necessary Solution to Student Addiction, Low Academic Performance
Faith Witte (10) chases down the ball. The Rio Americano girls lacrosse team defeated Oakmont 10-7 at home on March 26, 2025.
Photos: Girls Lacrosse vs. Oakmont
Senior Jack Rice. Photo provided by him.
Golfer Is March Athlete of the Month
Rio Americano's varsity girls soccer tied with Christian Brothers at home on Feb. 10.
Photos: Girls Soccer vs. Christian Brothers
Sophomore Anthony Taylor takes a shot at a recent home game.
Q&A: Anthony Taylor Shines as One of Only Two Sophomores on Varsity Basketball
Rio Americano High School English teacher Jolynn Mason played volleyball at Sonoma State in the 1990s. She was saddened by the university's decision to cut athletics.
Rio Teacher, Former Sonoma State Athlete, Saddened by University’s Sports Program Cancellation
The district's proposed stadium work. 1C.2, 1C.3 and 1C.5 represent additions of bleachers, lights, and a press box, respectively.
New Stadium Construction Not Expected to Begin Soon, District Says
Faith Witte (10) chases down the ball. The Rio Americano girls lacrosse team defeated Oakmont 10-7 at home on March 26, 2025.
Photos: Girls Lacrosse vs. Oakmont
Rio Americano's varsity girls soccer tied with Christian Brothers at home on Feb. 10.
Photos: Girls Soccer vs. Christian Brothers
Rio Americano's dance teams perform at the blackout winter rally on Dec. 6.
Photos: Winter Blackout Rally
Photography Students Transform Classroom into Large Camera Obscura
Photography Students Transform Classroom into Large Camera Obscura
Max Harry (12) drives to the basket against Pleasant Grove in a preseason game in November 2024.
Photos: Boys Basketball vs. Pleasant Grove
"When We Fear" Wins 10th Annual Rio Americano Horror Film Festival
“When We Fear” Wins 10th Annual Rio Americano Horror Film Festival
Faith Witte (10) chases down the ball. The Rio Americano girls lacrosse team defeated Oakmont 10-7 at home on March 26, 2025.
Photos: Girls Lacrosse vs. Oakmont
Rio Americano's varsity girls soccer tied with Christian Brothers at home on Feb. 10.
Photos: Girls Soccer vs. Christian Brothers
Rio Americano's dance teams perform at the blackout winter rally on Dec. 6.
Photos: Winter Blackout Rally
Photography Students Transform Classroom into Large Camera Obscura
Photography Students Transform Classroom into Large Camera Obscura
Max Harry (12) drives to the basket against Pleasant Grove in a preseason game in November 2024.
Photos: Boys Basketball vs. Pleasant Grove
Photos: Rio Students' Houses Light Up for Halloween
Photos: Rio Students’ Houses Light Up for Halloween
The Mirada April 2025
The Mirada April 2025
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The Mirada Spring 2025
The Mirada Winter 2024
The Mirada Winter 2024
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The Mirada Spring 2024
Rio Americano High School

The Mirada
Rio Americano High School

The Mirada
Jessica Sheppard

Jessica Sheppard, Editor-in-Chief

All content by Jessica Sheppard
Exploring the midtown farmers market and all the stalls they have to offer

A day at the midtown farmers market

Jessica Sheppard, Staff writer
March 17, 2021
Adrian Tomine's self portrait

Tomine started drawing comics at Rio, now he’s a best-selling graphic novelist

Jessica Sheppard, Staff writer
March 12, 2021

Rio library remains an available resource for students

Jessica Sheppard, Mirada Staff
March 2, 2021
Seniors are able to purchase caps, gowns, class jewelry graduation announcements and much more on the Jostens website.

In-person graduation is a realistic possibility for seniors

Jessica Sheppard, Mirada Staff
January 30, 2021
Senior Photos for Yearbook Start Dec.11

Senior Photos for Yearbook Start Dec.11

Jessica Sheppard, Mirada Staff
December 1, 2020
Smoke from the Creek Fire obstructed views from inside Yosemite National Park and interfered with visitors' hiking and camping. As of Sept. 9, all 18 national forests in California are closed.

[Photo] Record-Breaking Temperatures Cause The Largest Fires in California State History

Aaron Ichel, Mirada Staff
September 11, 2020
Victoria Sponge Cake Recipe

Victoria Sponge Cake Recipe

Jessica Sheppard, Mirada Staff
April 20, 2020
An empty Rio Americano classroom as students transition to "distance learning."

Bored? Things to Do During The Coronavirus Shut-In

Jessica Sheppard, Mirada Staff
March 22, 2020
PE Teacher Shawna Virga measures a student's performance in the trunk lift for freshman fitness testing.

Problems in California’s Fitness Testing

Jessica Sheppard, Mirada Staff
March 16, 2020
The Politician Review

The Politician Review

Jessica Sheppard, Mirada Staff
January 14, 2020
School Start Time Changes

School Start Time Changes

Jessica Sheppard, Mirada Staff
November 4, 2019
Jadera Bugs Crawling All Over Campus

Jadera Bugs Crawling All Over Campus

Jessica Sheppard, Mirada Staff
October 28, 2019
Students Feel Unprepared

Students Feel Unprepared

Jessica Sheppard, Mirada Staff
February 26, 2019
Moot Court team members Hudson Burke, Emma Phoenix, Kabir Tagore, Ben Davis, and Alec Sumner with coach after competition.

Verdict Is In: Mock Trial and Moot Court Teams Offer Realistic Law Experience

Emma Phoenix and Jessica Sheppard
November 2, 2018
Newspapers are not as popular as they use to be since news has been going online more.

[Photo] Online News is the New Norm

November 2, 2018
Models of All Shapes and Sizes are Taking Over the Industry

Models of All Shapes and Sizes are Taking Over the Industry

Jessica Sheppard, Mirada Staff
October 9, 2018
Vlogs Becoming the New Reality T.V.

Vlogs Becoming the New Reality T.V.

Jessica Sheppard, Mirada Staff
October 4, 2018
Golf Summary

Golf Summary

Katherine Huggins and Jessica Sheppard
June 4, 2018
Royal Wedding

Royal Wedding

Jessica Sheppard, Mirada Staff
June 4, 2018
Life of the Party

Life of the Party

Jessica Sheppard, Mirada Staff
June 4, 2018
Women's March

Women’s March

Jessica Sheppard and Emma Riley
June 4, 2018
Photo illustration of student using his phone wasting valuable class time; an epidemic among classrooms.

Ten Things Teens Can’t Live Without

Jessica Sheppard, Staff Writer
March 20, 2018
‘Tis the Season for Homecoming

‘Tis the Season for Homecoming

Jessica Sheppard, Mirada Staff
October 10, 2017
Dadigan leads a cheer practice Tuesday night.

Dadigan Back at It Again

Jessica Sheppard, Staff Writer
September 8, 2017
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